Start of Michaelmas Term 2019

Parents will shortly be receiving Calendar information by email. Meanwhile, the main events of the school year are on the College Calendar here.

Wednesday 4th September

2.00-2.30pm: arrival of new pupils at boarding houses, and unloading of luggage, followed by refreshments in Lower Argyle/Dining Hall.
3.30pm: Welcome and address by Warden in Big Schoolroom to all new pupils and their parents.
4.00-4.45pm: Meetings with House staff (different locations).
5.30pm: Parents and day pupils depart by this time.
6.00pm: Supper for new boarders.
6.30pm to 8.30pm: Return of all other boarders to House.

Thursday 5th September

Late rising.
8.50am: Day boarders and day pupils report to House.
9.00am: Warden’s Assembly in BSR, followed by Chapel arrangements and then service, followed by administration periods and lunch.
2.00pm: two afternoon classes, finishing at 3.30pm. Day pupils and day boarders may go home after this time.
Evening: short prep sessions for all boarders.

Friday 6th September

First full school day.

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Leaving Certificate results, 2019

Many congratulations to our candidates, who this morning received their Leaving Certificate results, achieving an average across all candidates of 474 points out of 625, second only to last year. This is another very fine performance, and extends our run of consistently impressive results year on year.

A few statistics:

  • 61 candidates sat the examinations, sitting a total of 453 papers, 85% of which were taken at Higher Level.
  • 18% of all results were H1.
  • 40% were H1/H2.
  • 58% were H1/H2/H3.
  • One candidate received the maximum 625 points.
  • 7% received over 600 points.
  • 46% received over 500 points.
  • 93% received over 300.
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Open Day, Saturday 28 September

Our annual Open Day this year is on Saturday 28th September, and all prospective pupils and their parents are very welcome. No advance booking is needed: just turn up and you will be looked after (pupils will guide visitors from the car parks to the reception point).

Everything starts at 10am: visitors are advised to come between then and 11.30am (the day finishes at 1pm), with regular tours conducted by prefects heading off around the campus. You will see the major facilities of the College like the Library, Chapel, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, Science Block and Cadogan music centre, as well as observing lots of activities, such as the choir practising, science events, public speaking rehearsals and much more. You will have the opportunity of talking to teachers and current parents about the College.

Visitors who would like more information about admissions should contact the Admissions Officer, Mrs Amanda Morris, via the Contact Form, or by emailing admissions@stcolumbas.ie, or by phone at 01-4906791.

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Culture Night, Friday 20 September

We are again taking part in the great annual event which is Culture Night, which this year is on the evening on Friday 20th September. As before, visitors to the College will have the chance to have an architectural and historical tour and talk, which will be given by the Sub-Warden, Julian Girdham. Visitors are welcome from 6.30pm (all Culture Night events are free), and should gather in the Chapel by 7.00pm, when the talk will start, followed by a walk-around.

Featuring will be the fascinating historical context of the College (including its foundation in 1843), the 1880 Chapel itself, designed by the great Victorian architect William Butterfield, the Chapel Square and Big Schoolroom, the 1971 modernist Science Block designed by Robin Walker, and the original Georgian Hollypark Building.

All are welcome, and visitors will be greeted by pupils at the main roundabout entrance, and guided to the Chapel.

See our entry on the Culture Night website here.

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